Chemist and Druggist talks training with University of Wolverhampton Pharmacy graduate Jess Follows, a learning and development partner at Lloyds parent company Celesio UK

How does a newly-qualified pharmacist – whose training is focused on clinical skills – step up to manage a team and run a business? It's a question that led Lloydspharmacy to set up its Step Into Management programme two years ago.

“That's something I'm proud of supporting,” says Jess Follows, who launched the initiative, which will welcome 100 new recruits this year. “During their pre-registration programme, [pharmacists] focused so much on the clinical side,” she tells C+D. “But then how do we build their skills to best manage a team, and a business?”